The entire place was overwhelmed with silence as emptiness lingered around the corridors of the courthouse. Guards were stationed at every corner, filling the place with ghastliness with their black uniforms. They were given strict instructions to not let anyone step inside the premises. If someone was to resist them, they should be escorted out even if meant using force.  Despite the fact that it was Sunday, the operations of the courthouse were supposedly running with the bare minimum staff. The rules were bent because the day was to mark the union of two aristocratic families of Los Angeles—the Atkinsons and the Lawrences.  Not to forget mentioning how the main room was decorated with the blood red roses in a minimal way. Every precaution was taken from both the families to ensure that nothing was to get leaked to any of the news channels. And those who managed to find out about it were asked to keep their mouths shut unti

The low, interrupting thuds of the steps were enough to draw everyone's attention towards the entrance, including the bride.  Ayla steadied her breath and turned around to look over her shoulder. She couldn't pinpoint why, but she was starting to get nervous. Beads of sweat were beginning to form on her forehead. Every last huff of air which left through her parted lips followed her erratic heartbeats.  One could easily assume that it was only because she was looking forward to meeting the man. It was the case, but not the real reason. She was nervous not because it was going to be their first meeting, but because this moment was going to have an impact on her entire life. Her future was about to be toppled down a high flight of stairs that ended in nothing but an endless void.  Ayla closed her eyes for the briefest of moments as she drew in a low huff of breath. Her thick, mascara clad lashes fluttered as

The next day.   A frown was evident in between her brows as Ayla flipped through the pages of her book. Even though she didn't have any lectures today, she came to the campus along with a couple of her books. All because she wanted to be on her own—be in her own bubble.    But no matter how hard she kept trying to focus on the printed pages, her thoughts kept drifting to the conversation she got to have with her mother-in-law. The lady had so heartlessly asked her to spend the next few days back at her family's mansion.    Despite the fact that she didn't have any issues in obeying her demand, the idea of doing it didn't settle well with her. She had already had a rough start, and now this was coming through. The more she thought about it, the more she was starting to detest things.   And as if it was not enough, she now had to put up a face before a hall full of people she barely ever talk

It was just like another day for Ayla back at her college. She was busy going through her notes before wrapping things up for the day. But just like before, her thoughts keep drifting to the same old thing. Or more precisely, the same man: Claude.  The more she tried to think less about his existence in her life, the more frequently he would pop in her thoughts. It only served as a reminder for her that things were not the same. No matter how badly she wanted them to be.  It's been exactly a week since the day she married, and exactly a week that her everyday routine was nothing but a mess. Even though she was still living back at her family's manor along with her father, things were not the same for her. Nothing was, and she knew that nothing would be.  There was only one thing she was dreading to see coming true. It was the day she would have to leave everything behind and shift to a completely different

"Ayla?" "Do you need me to call the doctor?" Claude spoke up again when he didn't hear a reply from her. His worrying mind was already thinking of the worst. He could only stand there as he contemplated what had gone wrong with her. "N-no."  A sigh of relief left his lips when a stuttering reply made its way into his ears.  "Are you sure?" He was still doubtful about it. Her pale face and shallow breaths told him a completely different story.  "Yes. I am fine." Ayla replied to him hurriedly this time. She would hate herself for creating a scene right after arriving at the Atkinsons' family manor. "I think I only need some food." She added as she kept her eyes glued to the covers.  She was trying her best not to look him in the eye. The thought of it alone made her feel weird. What added to her nervousness was how casually he was taking it